as the world gradually moves towards alternate energy sources, hydrogen lingers as a possibility although as i read on a site devoted to the implementation of these technologies, “ten or twenty years ago they were saying hydrogen technology will be widely available in ten or twenty years, and here we are still saying hydrogen technology will be widely available in ten or twenty years....”
thinking on that, i can recall a high school science research project in the mid-seventies, during which i wrote to some people at case western reserve university in ohio about their own efforts to develop a system to produce fuel for cars that incorporated the electrolysis of water to separate its constitutent elements of oxygen and hydrogen such that one could be burned and the other released to the environment.
however, here we are with some major steps forward having taken place and now the development of a scale model that is in fact :”widely available” to the public. manufactured by horizon fuel cell technologies, what you get is a patented miniature fuel-cell car and hydrogen refueling station. the refueling station creates hydrogen by electrolysis using water, and once the car's hydrogen tank is full, the car can run on its own hydrogen fuel-cell system, with the simple flip of a switch.
the view from the front:
the view from the side: 
have a look at this way cool “toy” in the maker’s video ;
want one? go here.
if you’ve got someone who has a hankering to build a house but may not be old enough then this next item is for them. a simply incredible kit that contains everything you would need to build a sustainable house!
the kit focuses on the heat and light energy from the sun, the energy from the wind, as well as electrochemical and plant energy. through assembling and monitoring the experiments that come with this kit, you learn how to transform and use these forms of energy.
with the power house kit you get to build a model house complete with solar panels, a windmill, a greenhouse, and a desalination system. you can also build and operate an electric train, windmill, solar cooker, solar hot water tank, hygrometer, electric motor, power hoist, sail car, and more! you also learn how plants convert sunlight into energy for your body and your engines.
the backbone of this kit is a 96 page manual that is is organized around the story of a group of island dwellers who must learn to live sustainably using the resources available to them on their small island. as you read their journal entries and learn of their projects and experiments, you build models of the same projects and conduct the same experiments alongside them.
here’s what arrives with the kit: foam house and plastic greenhouse parts • frame • base • wood glue • solar panel • compass • wire • led (light emitting diode) • battery holder • small light bulb and holder • solar motor • magnifying glass • propellers, iron core • ring magnet • thermometer • test tube holder • measuring beaker • sand paper • copper foil • zinc plate • wire mesh • many small parts such as paper clips • screws • clips • lead sinker • washers • wing nuts • iron powder • wires • tubing • rubber bands • yarn • wooden components • cutouts for devices • and four color, illustrated 96 page experiment manual with 70 experiments and 20 building activities.
perhaps a budding designer and builder will find their beginning in this. if you’d like to learn more about this incredible product then visit the website of thames and kosmos. it’s also available here.
i first heard the music of arvo part on a radio program. despite the tinny reception i was mesmerized by the music which seemed to bring together features of twentieth century minimalism with something sacred. indeed part’s music has been classed as sacred minimalism, placing him side-by-side with other composers such as gorecki, hans otte, john tavener (no not that john tavener but a descendant of the sixteenth century composer), and alan hovhaness.
part was born in estonia in 1935 but he now lives in berlin. part has a substantial catalogue ranging from purely orchestral, to choral works. my own preference runs to his orchestral works but i find that the inclusion of voices elevates his compositions into the realm of the sacred - a luminous place that requires a rarefied set of circumstances for me to fully appreciate!
part’s home page provides (among other things) a comprehensive listing of all of his works with editorial annotations and descriptions. also at his site, he has provided samples (albeit only one minute long) of a half dozen of his works.
in this first film, part is conducting a master class during which he reveals the thinking behind his work “fur alina” . . . in estonian (with english subtitles) . . .
featuring a duet for piano and violin . . . spiegel im spiegel
fratres . . .
an analysis of fratres mathematical elements can be found at linus akkeson’s site
one of his more emotionally powerful works for orchestra is the cantus in memory of benjamin britten.
part’s music can be acquired in all the usual places.
as the snow and ice recedes back into the ground and the air, lingering pieces of ice catch my eye. here's one i saw in my back yard.
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